‘Best’ day to go Christmas food shopping to avoid ‘chaos’
With Christmas just a few weeks away, supermarkets such as Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl are turning into real-life versions of Supermarket Sweep. It’s no surprise that many dread the ‘big shop’ in preparation for the festive season.
Timing it right ensures plenty of stock on the shelves and prevents items from going off before people have a chance to eat or drink them.Given that one in three Brits feel financially worse off than last year, and over 40% plan to dip into savings or use credit cards to fund the festivities, getting the timing right for the big food shop could be crucial.
People may take a gamble on the date they choose to shop, juggling convenient times with the date that will offer the freshest quality products.
Shopping experts suggest that a specific date is coming up fast that could help most shoppers avoid stress while still having access to the best selection of festive groceries.
Specialists from VoucherCodes.co.uk have combed through retailer data, independent research, and expert insight to identify the best days to shop. They considered those prioritising the best value, calmness, and convenience, reports the Mirror.
Best times to shop:
According to data from VoucherCodes.co.uk, the best day for your big festive food shop this year is Tuesday, December 16. Although it’s a little over a week before Christmas, supermarket shelves should still be well-stocked and aisles less chaotic than in the days leading up to December 25.
Many items will likely still have reasonable use-by dates at this stage. Anything that might fall slightly short can be stored in the freezer to maintain freshness.
For those who prefer online shopping, the best slot is believed to be Wednesday, December 17, according to VoucherCodes.co.uk. The specialists claimed: “Retailers will still have full stock availability and reliable delivery timelines. After this point, supermarket delivery capacity begins to tighten, last-order cut-offs quickly follow, and substitutes will be rife.”
The worst time to shop:
Saturday, December 20, is expected to be the busiest day in UK supermarkets. It’s estimated that nearly 20 million shoppers will flood the aisles for last-minute groceries and forgotten gifts.
This day is particularly hectic as it is the start of the final weekend before Christmas. Shoppers should brace themselves for packed trolleys, lengthy queues, and dwindling stock levels.
Christmas Eve could be a gamble for last-minute shoppers on December 24, as they chase bargain items. Whilst this day typically sees dramatic price cuts to clear remaining stock before the Christmas shutdown, shoppers always face the danger of returning home empty-handed.
Anyone planning to take the risk and brave the shops on Christmas Eve might want to time their trip perfectly to ensure they can benefit from yellow sticker reductions. Some stores will start as early as 3pm and others may wait closer to closing time.
Zoe Morris, savings specialist at VoucherCodes.co.uk, said: “Food is at the heart of Christmas – it’s what brings people together and fills the season with joy. But for many, the festive food shop has become a source of stress rather than excitement.
“Queues, empty shelves, and rising costs can take the sparkle out of even the most joyful traditions. Planning when (and how) you’ll shop helps you save time, stress, and money, letting you focus on what really matters around the table.”
This Christmas, the genuine worth of the festive banquet isn’t merely what’s served on the table, but the precious moments shared around it. By shopping smartly, spending sensibly, and preparing in advance, you can transform the Christmas food shop from a tedious task into the launch of the celebrations – the instant when the festive enchantment truly commences.
